DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Saiyuki or its characters. Nor do I take credit for any of it. All credits and rights go to the creator (that genious of a woman, not I. Don't sue me, I'm just a poor soldier. lol sorry, this chapters kinda long...

All is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 2: Sinners and Dinners

Setsuka had spent the morning growling and snarling at various seamstresses, most of whom backed away in fear that the woman was going to bite them. The love goddess had made it quite clear that she did not enjoy being touched at all. When everything was said and done and half a dozen seamstresses had backed away with sighs of relief, Setsuka had seated herself on her bed dressed in lavishing robes that nicely accentuated her body. She did not particularly enjoy being so ornamentally clad in such rich fabrics, but she wasn't too keen on the idea of sticking out in the new crowd of people either. She looked around her private quarters with silent satisfaction.

"At least this place rules!" She beamed. She looked about her room expectantly, her smile quickly dropping when she realized that while the quarters were indeed very nice, there was absolutely nothing to do. Kanzeon had sent no further instructions, simply that she would come for the girl the next day. 'Screw it…' Setsuka thought, 'Yesterday I was a mortal, this morning I became a goddess, and now, I think I will choose to be a wanderer…' She smiled with dry amusement at her own thought as she slipped her feet into delicate red slippers before leaving her quarters. She made sure to lock the door behind her as she started off towards the cherry tree courtyard she remembered seeing when Gojun was hauling her through heaven.

"Hey, are you new here?" A masculine voice to her left flank made her spin around in surprise. She was met by a young man with short red hair clad in black leather with silver adornments. Setsuka noted he was very attractive and gave him a flirtatious smile.

"And what if I am?" She sweetly asked. The man returned her smile with equal interest.

"Oh, nothing really, I just heard that we now had a love goddess running around here as of this morning." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "What's your name, sweets?" Setsuka placed a hand on her hip, slowly blinking at him.

"Setsuka." She answered. "But you can call me whatever you please…" She batted her eyelashes at him. "What about you, what's your name?" The man grinned lasciviously at her.

"What do you want it to be?" he flirted back. Setsuka blushed, turning her gaze to the beautiful pink blossoms that filled the area. "Alright, alright, my name is General Kenren, but since you're suck – I mean SUCH a doll, you can call me Ken." Setsuka playfully giggled.

"Am I the only one that gets to call you 'Ken'?" She innocently asked. Kenren stepped a little closer, leaning in.

"You know it…" He whispered. "Say, what are your plans for dinner?" Setsuka immediately knew where this was going and she smiled inwardly.

"Hanging out with you?" She suggested. Kenren chuckled.

"At least we're on the same page." He said. "So, listen I was wondering..." Setsuka droned him out and was watching around his arm at the scene behind him. It was a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 walking by. His shiny black hair was swept into a bun except his bangs stuck wildly in all directions. His athletic but slender frame was draped in a rich grey robe with gold trim. He looked so heartbroken… There was a brief moment before he disappeared from sight when he looked up, his large gold eyes meeting hers. Her stomach flipped as he forced a smile before turning his gaze back down to the ground. Setsuka wanted to run to him and speak to him, but forced herself to turn her attention back to Kenren. The general, however, was not speaking anymore, and had looked over his shoulder to see what it was that had caught her attention.

"That's War Prince Nataku…" He solemnly said. "Poor kid gets kicked around at every opportunity. From what I hear, he's a good guy. Although severely mistreated and used." Setsuka stared in the direction the boy had left.

"I could feel his pain all the way from over here…" She quietly said. Kenren stuck his hands in his pockets, sighing.

"I know…Poor kid…You'll probably get to meet him. Just be nice to him, ok?" he asked. Setsuka nodded.

"Oh, of course." She agreed.

"And try not to flirt with him too much, you'll probably knock him unconscious, the kid has no skills with women…Although he's definitely gonna break hearts when he grows up…Or at least, he's gonna break SOMETHING…." He noted. Setsuka sighed, brushing her silver bangs behind her ear.

"He can break a heart now, if he wanted to…" She thought aloud. Kenren arched a brow at her.

"Well, you know, I don't think you're too old for him, and I KNOW you're not too young for me." He grinned. He put an arm around her, pulling her in for a half hug which she half-assedly returned. "Well, I gotta get going, but hey, meet me outside the banquet hall for dinner, ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan." Setsuka agreed. "Bye, Ken." She watched the attractive General walk away, his hands in his pockets. Setsuka made her way to the place she saw the boy last. She looked around the sakura courtyard, sighing with disappointment when she did not see him. She sighed in defeat, turning back towards Kanzeon's palace.

Large gold eyes watched from between limbs of a heavily flowered cherry tree. Prince Nataku was perched against the trunk of the tree, his large gold eyes following Setsuka as she walked. He brushed a few twigs covered in pink blossoms out of his way so he could lean in for a closer look. He observed her looking around then turning away in the direction of Kanzeon's palace. 'She was looking for me…Why?' he thought, smiling to himself. He felt somewhat honored, she was very beautiful and attractive, even as he sat in his tree limb, he felt a magnetic pull towards her and contemplated making his way down there to her. Instead, he watched from the distance, inwardly sighing.

Dinnertime came and Setsuka was patiently waiting outside the banquet hall. Many men cast her appreciative glances. She returned each one with a flirtatious smile. Gojun had walked past and nodded in acknowledgement. Setsuka secretly flipped him the bird, a smirk on her face. Gojun gave her a look of fake shock before returning the crooked smile. He disappeared through the doors of the banquet hall, grinning.

"Hey, gorgeous." A smooth voice called. Setsuka looked up to see the attractive General Kenren. She smiled up at him, accepting his offered arm.

"Ah, my knight in studded leather…." She jokingly said. Kenren grinned, winking.

"You know it, lady." He agreed. They entered the Hall together. Many gods, goddesses, generals, and priests had already began to sit down. There was a buzz of conversation in the air. Setsuka spotted Kanzeon towards the front the room, seated with her attendant Jiro Shin. She met Setsuka's gaze and winked at her as she clutched Kenrens arm. Kenren pulled a chair out for her and scooted her close to the table before taking the seat beside hers. He was getting many glares from various men that Setsuka remembered smiling at her, but Kenren seemed to think it was amusing. Setsuka felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle and she turned around to see what horror caused her to tense so suddenly.

"Nataku…" She whispered to herself as she met the boys gaze. He was seated at the table behind her with a small group of men. His yellow eyes were locked onto hers, just as questioning and curious as hers. His lips move slightly, as if he wished to speak to her, but no sound came from them. Setsuka was mesmerized by his lips. They were pale and looked so soft to touch. They were lightly tinged pink from being bitten. She felt her stomach turn to cold lead when he lightly smiled at her, his eyes bright wish his youth and energy. Setsuka returned the smile whole heartedly, even growing so bold as to wink at the young boy, He blushed at her open flirtatious notion and cast his eyes down shyly. Setsuka decided to turn away from him, leaving him wanting more of her attention. She instead looked up at Kenren who was watching Gojun from across the room.

"He's an ass…" Kenren commented. "I swear I'm gonna kick his ass one of these days…" Setsuka watched the Dragon King sip from a goblet of wine, his eyes momentarily meeting hers. She made a face at him before sipping on her own wine, drumming her nails on the large, thick silver table.

Dinner passed slowly, but the food was delectable. Setsuka spent the meal nibbling on her food and chattering away with various gods and soldiers. Many people were awed that there was a newly appointed love goddess. She was true to her title as men flocked about her, vying for her attention. Nataku hung back beside his father, his large gold irises following her every move. Part of him yearned to be beside her like the other men, but he loyally sat back beside his father.

Hours had passed after the meal and Setsuka had seated herself in the sakura courtyard, She sat, gazing at the moon, enjoying the solitude of the night. 'Tomorrow morning, the old hag will send for me…' She solemnly thought to herself. She brushed her hair back over her shoulder, the moon reflected in her eyes.

"Um, excuse me, are you Setsuka?" The quiet voice behind her startled her. She shrieked, violently jumping to her feet. She jerked around to face the person approaching her. She ended up spinning head on into the war prince, Nataku. She stumbled back, but he reached out, his hands falling onto her shoulders and steadying her on her own feet. Setsuka regained her balance and stepped back.

"Hey!" She exclaimed. "What's the big idea sneaking up on me at night?" She didn't mean to raise her voice, but she found herself almost shouting at him. He lightly recoiled and took an involuntary step away from her.

"I'm sorry!" he apologized. "I didn't mean to!" He lightly bowed. He blushed crimson, his eyes large with concern. Setsuka fell silent, she had waited nearly a whole day to meet this boy, and now that he was here, she didn't know what to tell him.

"It's ok." She softly said. "you just startled, me that's all." She sat back down on the elegant stone bench, watching the boy. He had a sweet scent about him, almost like the lower world. He smelled of the sweet night air and the soft scent of evergreens. Everything about him seemed so youthful and fresh. "Want to sit with me?" She asked.

"Um, yes, thank you." He politely responded and seated himself beside her.

"So, I think I already know your name, but tell me, who are you?" She inquired, catching a blossom as it gently flowed in the wind.

"My name's Taishi Nataku. I'm the War Prince of heaven." He replied, scratching the end of his nose. Setsuka looked over at him, rolling the blossom between her fingers.

"What's that mean, being a War Prince and all?" She asked. Nataku bit his lower lip, debating if he should reveal the truth of his existence to her.

"It pretty much means I'm heavens assassin…" He solemnly answered. He looked down at his lap, clenching his jaw. He closed his eyes, heavily sighing. Setsuka felt bad for inquiring. She had a fleeting urge to reach out and touch his hand, but she dismissed it quickly.

"If it means anything to you, my name is Setsuka." She informed him. He didn't move. "I'm the newly appointed love goddess. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Nataku finally met her gaze, forcing a smile.

"As it is making yours." He replied. Setsuka frowned at his saddened expression.

"You don't really seem all that happy…" She commented, scooting closer to him. She was sitting so close to him now that they were thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder, and hip to hip. He rather enjoyed the personal closeness of her and he scooted so close to her that it was almost as if he were trying to push himself under her. She smiled at his needy gesture and allowed his physical closeness.

"So, can I ask why you're so sad?" Setsuka lightly asked. Nataku looked surprised and gaped at her. Setsuka cringed, wondering if she had upset him. "I hope I didn't offend you, by noticing, I mean…" She quickly said.

"No, I'm not offended, I don't think I'm allowed to be. It's not 'proper' for me to speak on how I feel. I'm not supposed to have feelings…" He rolled his eyes, heavily sighing. Setsuka finally remembered that she had hands and she reached out, covering his hand with hers. He looked stunned, but held her hand between both of his, giving a gentle squeeze. They both sat in silence, simply holding each others hands and pondering the mystery of one another. Gold met with pink as their eyes locked. The look exchanged between them was not a look of confusion, but understanding. He understood she gave a damn how he felt, and she understood he appreciated her company and concern. No words were needed between them as they smiled hopefully at one another.

The wind blew softly, tousling Setsuka's dove white hair gently down her back and around her face. The moonlight illuminated her porcelain white skin and the light it supplied cast shadows about her delicate facial features, making her look even more intensely alluring. Nataku stared on, mesmerized.

"You're so pretty…" He finally said, breaking the tender silence between them. Setsuka blinked and smiled.

"Aw. Thanks!" She piped. "Hey, it's sort of late, I should be getting back to my quarters. I have lots to do tomorrow." They stood together, her hands still gently held in his.

"When can I see you again?" He asked. His voice seemed to drop an octave lower and his eyes were suddenly serious. Setsuka couldn't help but giggle at him.

"Relax, honey, what about dinner tomorrow? You can be my dinner date Sound like a plan?" She asked. Nataku's features untensed as he beamed happily at her.

"Yeah, that'd be awesome!" He exclaimed. "Except….well, you're not General Kenren's….you know….girlfriend are you? Won't he get mad?" He questioned, cocking his head to the side. Setsuka had to bite her lip to keep from bursting into laughter.

"Me? Ken?" She giggled. "Wow, no, he is just the first person that I befriended here in heaven. He's a good guy, but I think he's too old for me, you know?" She asked. Nataku looked down at the ground, fidgeting slightly. He turned pink and kept his eyes cast downward.

"I'm…not…too young for you, am I?" He asked awkwardly. "I mean, you don't look that much older, and…I am a couple hundred years old…So I…." He trailed off as he fiercely blushed. Setsuka thought he looked so cute fidgeting and inquiring on such matters. His grip on her hands became a little firmer and he had drawn closer to her, so close that his untamed bangs brushed her cheek.

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, you have a couple hundred years on me, which makes you older than me, but in a sense, your still kinda younger than me, aren't you? But no matter, I like 'em young. I'd say you're the perfect age for me, Nataku…" She said in her easy going, good natured tone. Nataku had looked up and was about to speak when his lips were met with Setsuka's in an innocent peck. His insides fluttered and squirmed as her soft lips interlocked his for what felt like a nanosecond. He was crimson as she pulled away, giving his hands a final squeeze before turning and lightly flouncing off, her hair flowing behind her chining radiantly in the moonlight. N

Nataku stared after her, his lips tingling from her kiss. His nose still picked up her floral scent even though she was gone, and he could almost still feel her aura. He lifted his fingertips and felt his lips just to make sure they were still there. He heavily sighed, his stomach still fluttering and his heart hammering.

"Well, damn…" he breathed. "My first kiss and she runs away. Am I that intimidating?"